The mineral water bottle lid wasn’t large, spanning a mere 2.5 centimeters in diameter and just 1 centimeter in depth.

But to the little figures below, it appeared as a gigantic pool with a diameter of seventeen feet and a depth exceeding half a zhang.

The pool was filled to the brim with modern industrially-produced canola oil.

The villagers caught a faint whiff and immediately recognized it.

“Canola oil.”

“Top-grade canola oil.”

“Heavens, such an enormous pool of canola oil!”

“I’ve only ever seen a tiny bottle before.”

“The Deity from the heavens does everything on a grand scale.”

The villagers hadn’t tasted canola oil in a long, long time.

Three years ago, before the drought began, they occasionally planted rapeseed to press a small amount of canola oil for special occasions.

But after three years of severe drought, even staple crops struggled to survive; who could manage to grow oilseed crops?

Now seeing this pool brimming with enough oil to bathe in, their joy was overwhelming.

Gao Chuwu was the first to speak up: “Wow! Using this for lanterns? That’s such a waste. Let’s just eat it all!”

“Silence!” the Village Chief instantly rebuked him. “Didn’t you see the horde of bandits passing outside the village last night? All you think about is eating! Thanks to Heaven… ahem… under the Dao Xuan Deity’s protection, we are no longer starving. Now our concern is protecting ourselves properly.”

Gao Yiye raised her voice: “The Deity has spoken. Half of this oil we consume; the other half is for making lanterns. Each night, we’ll light lanterns all along the wall, post sentinels to patrol, and show no laxity. If bandits approach, the sentinel sounds the alarm. Everyone must then take arms, guard the gate, and bar the invaders’ entry!”

The villagers replied: “We obey!”

Gao Yiye added: “The Deity commands that this oil be left to Thirty-Two’s management. The rest of you, return to your duties. The gate remains unfinished; the armor must still be forged; and Li Da’s new-style firearm project demands great effort. Much remains to be done.”

The villagers were surprised the oil had been entrusted to Thirty-Two. They thought the Deity, as usual, would divide it among them. Instead, it was assigned solely to the Third Lady? Truly strange.

Yet while curious, none dared question. They dispersed obediently to work.

Thirty-Two secretly rejoiced: Ha! The Deity noticed my value and entrusted me a task! My rise begins here! First, small tasks for His Excellency, then increasingly important duties… until I become his right hand! Immeasurably greater than being a mere clerk at the county office!

“Thirty-Two!” Li Daoxuan’s call came.

Thirty-Two immediately stood at respectful attention: “How may I serve the Deity?” (“The Deity has instructions?”)

“You likely realize why I left the oil arrangements to you?” (“You must know why I entrusted the oil to you?”)

“This humble servant understands. The villagers are scattered like loose sand—each only cares for his own household, illiterate and innumerate. If managing nightly lantern oil fell to them, chaos would ensue in days. Errors would abound, even pilfering for domestic use.” (“This lowly one understands. The villagers are scattered like loose sand, each only concerned with their own family, lacking literacy or numeracy. Letting them handle the lantern oil nightly would quickly descend into disorder, riddled with errors and even theft for household use within days.”)

“Good, that insight is crucial.” (“En, your understanding suffices.”) Li Daoxuan noted: “Hm? No idioms to conclude this time?” (“En? No idiom to cap it off this time?”)

Thirty-Two scratched his head awkwardly: “This unworthy one used idioms to project learnedness among others. But before the Deity, my knowledge is but candlelight before the sun and moon—no pretense could ever…” (“This humble one’s adding idioms after each sentence was an attempt to display erudition before others. But before the Deity, such petty learning is like candle flame facing the sun and moon—no disguise could ever…”)

“Enough, no need for lengthy explanation.” (“Alright, no need for lengthy explanations.”) Li Daoxuan had long discerned his idiom habit but dismissed it with amusement. “What does Gaojia Village need most?” (“What do you think Gaojia Village lacks most?”)

“People!” Thirty-Two replied without hesitation. “Lacks people.” (“People!”)

“Excellent. Now you see clearly.”

Li Daoxuan gently extended a hand. A small mountain of flour balls manifested before Thirty-Two. “Use these to bring more people here.”

Delighted, Thirty-Two bowed deeply toward the sky. “The Deity can rest assured. Amidst this severe drought, flour is more precious than gold! With this, I am confident of deceiving… ahem… enticing… no… inviting many to join us.”

Li Daoxuan asked: “What are your specific thoughts?”

Thirty-Two elaborated: “Many villagers from nearby villages—Wangjia Village, Zhuangjia Village, Zhengjia Village—joined the rebel Wang Er’s forces. But some remain, unwilling to turn bandit. These survivors endure greater hardship than ever. If I toured these villages with merely a sack of flour, I could persuade them all to join us.”

A faint smile touched Li Daoxuan’s lips. Excellent. Their thinking coincided perfectly. With this man assisting him, things were becoming much simpler.

Historical records often revealed this pattern: in county offices, clerks handled practical realities, while magistrates dealt in abstractions.

Magistrates planned policy; clerks executed the gritty details.

When the magistrate speaks, the clerk’s legs break.

Thus, regarding practical competence, clerks often excelled, while magistrates dominated policy matters.

Li Daoxuan stated: “Good. Then it’s settled.”

With that, He fell silent. Gao Yiye watched His face gradually vanish into the clouds, seemingly withdrawing His gaze from the world, before announcing: “The Deity has returned to the immortal realm.”

Thirty-Two let out a gleeful “Ha!” jumping a foot high. “Marvelous! Today, I am His Excellency’s appointed clerk! Hahaha! Ahahaha!”

He’d longed to erupt in jubilant laughter earlier but restrained himself in the Deity’s presence. Now free of scrutiny, he threw his arms wide, laughing heartily.

Gao Yiye also relaxed, stretching her limbs. “Ah,” she sighed to Third Lady beside her, “Maintaining this solemn posture in these heavy robes is utterly exhausting!”

Third Lady gazed at her enviously. “I don’t know how I envy you, yet you complain it’s tiresome.”

Gao Yiye quickly amended: “Ah! I don’t mean it like that! It’s just… unfamiliar.”

Third Lady spoke earnestly: “Miss Yiye, you are the Saint Lady serving the Dao Xuan Deity. Your dignified demeanor enhances His reverence among all. Never forget this.”

Gao Yiye struggled to adopt a solemn expression. “I understand.”

Turning to Thirty-Two, Third Lady suggested: “Darling, the villagers remain ignorant. All this time, not one thought to properly honor the Deity. Shouldn’t our family contribute funds to build Him a temple and craft a golden statue?”

Thirty-Two didn’t hesitate a moment: “Build! Even if it means selling the pots and pans, we will erect it! But… within Gaojia Village, having money may not suffice…”